Normal life in Kashmir was thrown out of gear as moderate snowfall occurred across the Valley on second consecutive day. The snowfall affected road and air connectivity to and fro Valley while mercury plunged down to several notches.Reports reaching GNS said that the snowfall started in morning hours in south Kashmir districts but in central and north Kashmir, it started around noon. The intensity of the snowfall was higher in south Kashmir districts and in rest of the Valley it was moderate. At many places including in upper reaches, the snowfall started in night hours only.Due to continued snowfall, 300 kilometer long Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained close for the vehicular movement. Several sectors on the Highway including Qazigund, Jawahar Tunnel, Banihal and Patnitop received heavy snowfall causing slides at many spots. Officials said the efforts were on to clear the highway of snow and only stranded vehicles would be allowed to move later."In view of fresh rain/snowfall at various places along Jammu-Srinagar highway including Patnitop, Ramsoo, Banihal, Jawahar Tunnel, Qazigundcoupled with slippery road conditions, no fresh movement of traffic shall be allowed on the highway till further orders", an official from the traffic department in a statement issued to GNS said.He said that in case weather improves tomorrow and the road is made traffic worthy, the vehicles stranded on the highway shall be first cleared and allowed to be proceed towards their respective destinations.In Srinagar and other towns, the snowfall made roads slippery, causing traffic jams. At many places, the pedestrians faced lot of difficulties due to water-logging. Due to snowfall, the day temperature in Srinagar and other parts plunged by several notches.
The MeT department said that Srinagar recorded 0.4 degree Celsius maximum temperature while night temperature settled at -1.9 degree Celsius. He said Qazigund recorded 0.9 degree Celsius day temperature, Pahalgam 0.0, Kupwara 1.6, Kokernag 0.8, Gulmarg -4, Leh -2.6 and Kargil -1.2.According to MeT department, the weather is predicted to remain wet. “Light to moderate rain/snow will occur at most places over the State with isolated heavy falls,” the MeT department said this evening.KU suspends class-work till January 29; exams scheduled on Jan 18, 19 postponed The Class Work in all Teaching Departments of the University/Campuses shall remain suspended from 18.01.2017 to 29.01.2017."However, all Departmental/Campus offices shall function normally," read an order issued by Dean, Academic Affairs.Meanwhile, all Kashmir University examinations scheduled to be held on 18th January 2017 (Wednesday) and 19th January 2017 (Thursday) are postponed in view of fresh snowfall. Fresh dates for the deferred examinations shall be notified separately. (GNS)